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Saturday 20 September 2008

Five-star Werder humiliate Bayern

BERLIN, Sept 20 (Reuters) - Werder Bremen pulled off a shock 5-2 win at Bayern Munich on Saturday, humiliating the champions in front of their own fans and giving Juergen Klinsmann his first taste of defeat as a Bundesliga coach.

Markus Rosenberg struck twice to lead the rout as Werder took a 5-0 lead before Tim Borowski pulled two back for the embarrassed Bavarians.

Bayern's first defeat of the season denied them a chance to return to the top of the table.

Instead Schalke 04 moved into first place with 11 points from five matches after a 1-0 win at home to Eintracht Frankfurt, courtesy of an own goal from Patrick Ochs.

Hamburg SV, in second place on 10 points, will recapture top spot if they win at Wolfsburg on Sunday.

Bayer Leverkusen are third on nine points following their 4-0 win at home to Hanover 96 on Friday, while Werder are fourth and Bayern fifth on eight points apiece.

Werder, runners-up to Bayern last season, came into the game chastened by their failure to find the net in a goalless draw with Anorthosis Famagusta in the Champions League on Tuesday.

They had no such problems against Bayern, as they punished mistakes from the defence and hapless keeper Michael Rensing.

After a few near misses they took the lead after half an hour when Mesut Ozil rolled a pass through the Bayern centre-backs for Rosenberg to collect and slip in his shot.

Naldo was left unmarked to tap in the second just before the break and Mesut blasted the third in under the bar nine minutes after the restart.

Bayern, who enjoyed a winning start to their Champions League campaign away to Steaua Bucharest, made certain of Werder's win when the defence left Claudio Pizarro free to score against his old club, before Rensing's missed punch presented Rosenberg with his second.

Roma seal first victory of the season

ROME, Sept 20 (Reuters) - AS Roma chalked up their first win of the season on Saturday when they beat Reggina 3-0 at home in Serie A.

Last season's runners-up had managed just a point from their opening two leagues games and lost 2-1 in Rome to unheralded Romanians CFR Cluj in the Champions League in midweek.

Their lack of confidence was evident in the first period when they were restricted to shots from distance before Christian Panucci netted from close range on halftime.

The defender tapped in Rodrigo Taddei's ball across the box amid Reggina protests that he had been offside earlier in the scrappy passage of play.

The home side doubled their lead early in the second half when midfielder Alberto Aquilani smashed a left-foot shot into the top corner as they began to show some of the attacking flair that marked last season's campaign.

Substitute Simone Perrotta put gloss on the victory when he made it 3-0 in injury time.

Earlier Atalanta suffered their first defeat of the Serie A season when they went down 1-0 at Catania despite dominating for long spells.

Catania are now level with Atalanta on six points from three games after striker Michele Paolucci scored at the near post from a tight angle in the second half.

Fellow early pacesetters Lazio visit pointless AC Milan in Sunday's late game (1830 GMT) with champions Inter Milan at Torino and injury-hit Juventus travelling to Cagliari earlier in the day (1300).

Atletico rack up 4-0 win as Espanyol stay top

MADRID, Sept 20 (Reuters) - Atletico Madrid beat Recreativo Huelva 4-0 in the Primera Liga on Saturday having been bouyed by their midweek Champions League win over PSV Eindhoven.

Atletico thrashed PSV 3-0 on Tuesday and were leading after just eight minutes against Recre. Argentina striker Sergio Aguero rose unmarked to head home from a freekick, for his fourth goal in three matches over the last eight days.

Espanyol remained top despite being held to a 1-1 draw at home to Getafe. Sergio Sanchez grabbed a point for the Barcelona side just before the hour mark after Manu had put the visitors ahead two minutes into the second half.

The draw represents the first points Espanyol have dropped this season, but their haul of seven points from three games sees them top the pile overnight Saturday - a point clear of Atletico Madrid.

Atletico were guilty of easing off but Portugal midfielder Maniche doubled their advantage just after the break with a powerful drive from outside the area.

Miguel de las Cuevas set up the third for Florent Sinama Pongolle 12 minutes from time and the French striker bagged his second against his former club on a breakaway at the end.

It was Atletico's third 4-0 win in a row at the Calderon having chalked up the same score against Schalke 04 and Malaga.

Unbeaten Getafe had the better of the first period in Barcelona and took the lead when striker Manu del Moral scored from the penalty spot just after the break.

The goal brought the game to life and, with tackles flying in thick and fast, Espanyol levelled at a freekick soon after.

Defender Sergio Sanchez scrambled a loose ball over the line and both sides had chances to win in a breathless second half.

Espanyol are top with seven points from three games, one ahead of Atletico and two in front of third-placed Getafe.

The bulk of the weekend Primera Liga action takes place on Sunday, including Real Madrid's visit to Racing Santander, Barcelona's clash at Sporting Gijon and the derby match between Real Betis and Sevilla.

Chopra double wins derby

Michael Chopra put his personal problems behind him to fire Sunderland to a 2-0 derby victory over Middlesbrough.

GettyImages
David Wheater upends Steed Malbranque at the Stadium of Light.

The former Newcastle striker came off the bench to slot home an 81st-minute shot, and then added a second in injury time to seal the win.

Keane hails Chopra

England winger Stewart Downing had fired a 75th-minute penalty over the bar to let the Wearsiders off the hook.

The midfielder, who thumped his last spot-kick against the bar, blasted over to give Sunderland the impetus to go on and win the spoils in front of a crowd of 38,388.

Southgate and Keane launched their managerial careers at around the same time a little more than two years ago, and both would admit to having embarked upon a steep learning curve.

But both are now starting to see progress as they attempt to build teams in their own, very different, images.

However, it was the Englishman who would have been the happier at the break having seen his side limit their hosts to a series of long-range efforts which never really troubled keeper Ross Turnbull, while at the same time forcing Craig Gordon to make two excellent saves.

Boro controlled much of the first half because they were able to dictate the pace in the middle of the park through Gary O'Neil and the excellent Didier Digard.

Indeed, it was not until Steed Malbranque started to come inside and pull the strings that the Wearsiders made an impression.

Southgate's men were even able to survive the loss of striker Mido to a groin injury in the warm-up as record signing Afonso Alves, originally reduced to the rank of substitute, was handed a late reprieve.

They would have taken the lead with 19 minutes gone had Gordon not reacted to smartly to Downing's snapshot after Alves' free-kick had been blocked into his path.

The England international had been asked to support the Brazilian in attack with Adam Johnson filling in on the left side of midfield, and the youngster's pace proved a big weapon as the visitors repeatedly hit Sunderland on the counter-attack.

It was he who carved Keane's defence, featuring Anton Ferdinand and George McCartney at the Stadium of Light for the first time, wide-open eight minutes before half-time as Boro launched a raid from the edge of their own penalty area.

Johnson picked out Alves' intelligent run across the Wearside rearguard with the perfect pass, but the striker's first-time shot was well blocked by the advancing Gordon.

For their part, Sunderland started to threaten on a more consistent basis as the half wore on with Malbranque and Cisse combining well, but the former Liverpool striker's shooting was wayward in the face of some resilient defence.

Huth had to get in a last-ditch challenge on Chopra, a late first-half replacement for the injured Teemu Tainio, as he tried to reach Pascal Chimbonda's near-post cross.

However, Gordon was in action again after 53 minutes when he had to dive low to his left to turn away Alves' drive.

Kieran Richardson fired high over two minutes later after Chopra had laid off Malbranque's pull-back with the Wearsiders looking far sharper.

They might have taken the lead with 62 minutes gone after Turnbull's inexperience almost cost his side.

Having collected the ball safely, he then dropped it at El-Hadji Diouf's feet as he prepared to launch another attack.

The Senegal international picked out Cisse, but his curling effort was blocked by Emanuel Pogatetz as he and Huth launched themselves into its path.

But Turnbull came to his side's rescue nine minutes later when he dived to his right to claw away Richardson's curling effort with the Black Cats making their big push.

Both managers made double changes as the game entered its final quarter, but it was Southgate on his feet 15 minutes from time when his side were awarded a penalty.

Nyron Nosworthy clipped Jeremie Aliadiere's heels inside the box and referee Howard Webb had little hesitation in pointing to the spot.

But Downing's effort sailed over the bar to set up a tense conclusion.

Just how costly that miss was became evident with 81 minutes gone when Chopra and Richardson exchanged passes on the edge of the box for the striker to run in and slide the ball past Turnbull.

The former Newcastle frontman was booked for his celebration, but his fortunes improved at the death when Malbranque presented him with the simplest of chances to double his tally.

Zola's maiden victory as Magpies slump

Gianfranco Zola's reign as West Ham manager got off to the perfect start as his fellow Italian David Di Michele hit a brace to help see off crisis club Newcastle 3-1 at Upton Park.
Matthew Etherington scores
GlynKirk/GettyImages
Etherington (l) fires in West Ham's third

The former Chelsea midfielder officially took up his duties on Monday - and the Hammers responded to record a third home successive win.

Di Michele, on a season loan from Torino, set them on their way with a deflected effort after just eight minutes and then added another before half-time.

Matthew Etherington made it 3-0 before England striker Michael Owen salvaged a consolation for the visitors, who are in desperate need of direction without a manager and under an owner looking to get out as quickly as possible.

Given the club sponsor, holiday company XL, had gone bust, the Hammers had squad numbers on both the back and front of their shirts, while Newcastle have recently looked about as safe a bet as the Northern Rock.

Zola delighted with winning start

It was a positive start by the hosts, who had won both of their opening home games under Alan Curbishley - the former boss quitting after a row with the board over player transfers.

Di Michele skipped clear off the offside trap and into the left side of the penalty area. However, Shay Given stood up at his near post to make the save.

The Italian then got lucky after eight minutes when he cut inside from the right and shot from 20 yards - then wheeled away in celebration as the ball ricocheted off Steven Taylor and up over the keeper into the net.

West Ham continued to press forwards and in the 23rd minute, Matthew Etherington's surging run and cross down the left flank just failed to pick out Carlton Cole who was arriving at pace in the middle.

Mark Noble shot wide again - this time driving an angled effort well wide from the left side of the penalty box.

Di Michele showed him how it should be done with nine minutes left to half-time.

The chance looked to have been spurned after the Italian was played in by Noble and Given had come out to make a reaction save with his head.

However, the ball dropped back to the striker.

Given far too much time and space, he simply turned inside Taylor before slamming home his second from six yards.

Newcastle faced an uphill battle now to get anything out of the match.

When the ball dropped to Charles N'Zogbia 25 yards from goal, he blazed it high into the stands - just about summing up the visitor's afternoon so far.

However, Newcastle made a bright start to the second half, and Geremi's deep cross was just too far ahead of Spanish striker Xisco.

Australian defender Lucas Neill, the Hammers captain, was cautioned in the 51st minute following a late challenge on Owen.

Geremi's free-kick found its way through to the six-yard box, where Taylor flicked it goalwards, but Owen could not get any power on his close-range header.

It proved a costly miss as, after 53 minutes, the hosts went up the other end and scored.

Cole played Di Michele away down the right channel, and he sprinted into the area.

Unselfishly, the Italian, on a hat-trick, laid the ball back across goal for Etherington to sweep it into the net.

Di Michele was then teed up by Ilunga's left-wing cross - but crashed a left-foot effort over the bar from 15 yards.

Xisco, signed from Deportivo de La Coruna just before the transfer window closed, felt he should have had a penalty when Valon Behrami looked to deflect his chip into the box with a hand - but referee Phil Dowd was unimpressed.

Newcastle, though, did get a lifeline after 67 minutes.

Claudio Cacapa slipped in Owen at the edge of the penalty area and the England striker dropped his shoulder to pass Neill before bending a superb effort into the top right corner.

The visitors' spirits were raised and Cacapa almost stabbed in another, but Robert Green was behind his close-range effort before then keeping out a low drive from Damien Duff.

Newcastle continued to press and Cacapa was furious with himself after heading over from 10 yards.

While West Ham looked far from comfortable during the closing stages - something which their new manager will undoubtedly work on - they managed to close the match out without any further scares.

Indeed, they should have netted a fourth in stoppage time, but substitute Luis Boa Morte shot wide when clean through - with Di Michele screaming for a square pass and a certain hat-trick.

Stoke claim superb point

Defiant Stoke stopped unbeaten Liverpool in their tracks at Anfield with a magnificent rearguard action in a 0-0 draw.
Steven Gerrard
PaulEllis/GettyImages
Joy would be shortlived for Steven Gerrard as his goal was disallowed by the officials

The hosts dominated throughout, had close on 70% possession, but just could not find a way past goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen and his outstanding defenders.

Stoke play to their strengths - being direct and physical - but they deserved their day in the sun.

They halted a Liverpool side who had beaten Manchester United and Marseille in the previous week.

Manager Rafael Benitez rested Ryan Babel, Javier Mascherano and Lucas to the bench with Robbie Keane, Albert Riera and Xabi Alonso returning.

Stoke had former Liverpool midfielder Salif Diao in their side, his first start of the season while Amdy Faye was suspended.

Benitez baffled by disallowed goal

Leon Cort and Ricardo Fuller were also on the bench after playing against Everton last weekend, Mamady Sidibe and Abdoulaye Faye returned.

Gerrard thought he had scored his 100th club goal after just two minutes when referee Andre Marriner gave a free-kick for a push in the back on Fernando Torres.

The captain's curling free-kick from the left looked to have been missed by everyone - including Sorensen - as the ball sailed on into the far corner, with Dirk Kuyt throwing himself at it on the far post, without making contact.

All Gerrard's colleagues rushed to congratulate their captain but a linesman's flag surprisingly cut short the celebrations.

Stoke responded with a 20-yard shot from Dave Kitson just over, while at the other end Sorensen needed to save smartly from a Robbie Keane first-time effort.

Gerrard kept trying and his next effort, a 20-yard free-kick, that Sorensen held comfortably.

Stoke were continually forced back with Liverpool keeping possession and passing well.

Such was Liverpool's territorial advantage that centre-back Martin Skrtel was spending considerable time linking in midfield.

Stoke lost Ibrahima Sonko with a leg injury after 21 minutes, to be replaced by Cort, while Sidibe needed to change his shirt after a gashed eye left him blood-stained.

But despite the constantly flowing attacks Stoke did not panic despite keeping two men up front whenever they could manage.

The tactic gave Liverpool plenty of space and possession, with Andrea Dossena joining Riera down the left almost at will.

Sorensen punched away another Alonso long-range strike and Torres had a drive charged down.

But there was great resilience and organisation about Stoke, with Diao screening the defence where Faye, Danny Higginbotham and Cort were standing firm against the barrage.

Kuyt fired wide and Gerrard saw another right-footer sail wide, while Alonso clattered another 20-yard shot over the top as the Potters reached the break unscathed.

Six minutes into the second period Keane almost ended his goal famine. Alvaro Arbeloa and Kuyt combined down the right and when the cross arrived on the six-yard line Kuyt's stabbed effort was well saved by Sorensen.

Liverpool continued to pour forward but frustration was creeping in with too many players trying increasingly erratic long-range efforts.

Stoke grew in confidence and they started to win set-pieces inside Liverpool's half, while the hosts were becoming wasteful.

Kuyt's lay-off saw Torres side-foot over from 10 yards before Babel replaced Riera after 65 minutes.

Sorensen had to save well from Kuyt, while another curler from the Dutchman just cleared the far post.

Yossi Benayoun then replaced Keane, with Jamie Carragher and Gerrard seeing efforts go close from outside the box.

Gerrard had another effort deflected wide by Cresswell with Stoke now camped in their own final third. Ricardo Fuller came on for Kitson after 77 minutes.

Liverpool's nerves were jangling every time Stoke won a throw or set-piece and for one Delap effort all 11 players were called back into defence.

A Gerrard run and Benayoun pass ended with Torres spinning to lash yet another effort into the Kop.

Skrtel was booked for a foul on Fuller, but Stoke hung on, throwing bodies in the way of numerous crosses and shots.

Derbyshire nets winner

Local hero Matt Derbyshire rounded off a move oozing with South American flair to finally give Paul Ince his first Premier League home win as Blackburn boss.
Carlos Villanueva, Danny Murphy
GaryMPrior/GettyImages
Carlos Villanueva battles with Danny Murphy

Derbyshire, introduced for the final quarter hour with Ince desperate to break the deadlock, pounced after Roque Santa Cruz flicked a superb through ball from Chilean debutant Carlos Villanueva into his path.

Derbyshire's timely strike ended 84 minutes of agony for Ince, whose side had toiled to little effect and looked set to end a strangely sunny Saturday afternoon still firmly rooted in the relegation zone.Until Derbyshire's intervention Brett Emerton had had Rovers' best chance with a curling 39th-minute effort which beat Fulham keeper Mark Schwarzer but rebounded off the far post to safety.


Gunners stage comeback

Manager Arsene Wenger saw his Arsenal side move to the top of the Premier League with a mix of breathtaking skill and a solid work ethic in a 3-1 at Bolton.
Emmanuel Eboue
AlexLivesey/GettyImages
Emmanuel Eboue levels the scores at 1-1

It was just the result the Gunners boss craved with Liverpool being held to a draw by Stoke and Chelsea not facing Manchester United until Sunday.

Bolton, however, made a decent fist of it and went ahead through Kevin Davies.

Arsenal's response was swift and majestic. Emmanuel Eboue and Nicklas Bendtner turned the game on its head with two goals in two minutes.

Clichy injury clouds victory

Then Denilson secured the points late on after another swift and decisive counter-attack.

Eboue's equaliser came after some intense pressure with Emmanuel Adebayor and Alex Song both hitting the post with their efforts.

It was Bolton who almost took the lead in the third minute with a wonderful piece of vision from captain Kevin Nolan.

He spotted Manuel Almunia marginally off his line and tried to chip him from 30 yards.

However, the Spanish goalkeeper got back just in time and tipped Nolan's effort over the crossbar.

Bolton made the breakthrough in the 14th minute when Jussi Jaaskelainen picked out Davies with a long free-kick and he flicked the ball on to Nolan.

The midfielder's effort was deflected to safety and Davies was first to react to Joey O'Brien's corner, heading the ball beyond Almunia for his third goal of the season.

Arsenal were rocked but broke swiftly, only for Denilson's effort from the edge of the area to clear the crossbar.

Kolo Toure latched on to a good touch from Bendtner in 20th minute but saw his shot go narrowly wide of the post.

Arsenal then hit the woodwork twice in the space of two minutes through Adebayor and Song as Bolton found themselves under siege.

The Gunners persistence paid off in the 26th minute with Eboue scoring at the near post after being set up by Bendtner.

They maintained their momentum two minutes later with Bendtner getting his reward for some unselfish work.

He got on the end of a cross from Denilson to give Arsenal the lead with his first Premier League goal of the season.

Eboue almost extended their lead in the 36th minute after linking up with Denilson but his effort was blocked.

Bolton, however, hit back and five minutes later Ricardo Gardner went on a surging run only for Toure to stop him in his tracks.

The ball broke to Nolan and he cracked in a good shot but Almunia was again equal to his effort.

Bolton, however, found themselves on the back foot in the 47th minute when Song raced forward and drilled in a shot that Jaaskelainen did well to parry to safety.

The Finland international had some harsh words for his defence at allowing Song room to manouvre.

Adebayor then got away from his marker a minute later but headed wide at the far post following a cross from substitute Johan Djourou.

Bolton were growing in confidence, however, and Joey O'Brien rattled in a shot from distance in the 59th minute that went narrowly wide.

Riga Mustapha was quickly into the action after coming off the bench and his effort was turned away at the post by Almunia following a glorious through ball from Nolan.

The visitors continued to look dangerous on the break and Bacary Sagna shot wide following a corner from Cesc Fabregas in the 67th minute.

Gretar Steinsson sent a header over for Bolton before Denilson sealed the points three minutes from time, sweeping home a cross from Adebayor.